We must be faster than our adversaries, says head of British military at launch of defence exhibition DSEI

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) has warned that allied nations must prepare for conflict at speed as he unveiled the themes of next year's massive defence conference in London.

Speaking at the launch of DSEI UK 2027 – one of the world's biggest defence exhibitions – and in an exclusive for BFBS Forces News, the most senior UK military officer added: "Fundamentally this is a race. We have to be faster and better than our adversaries.

"That is going to happen if we can bring together industry, science and technology and the war fighters as well as those responsible for acquisitions and that is what DSEI does."

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The theme around which talks and defence industry exhibitions will revolve is "Delivering the Integrated Force", and within that digital transformation, emerging tech, international alliances and supply chain resilience.

ACM Sir Richard said: "Ultimately, we need to be ready and we need to deter our adversaries and that integrated force and execution and delivery at pace of the adaptation that we need, is critical to supporting the armed forces and delivering that deterrent effect."

CDS was joined by Rupert Pearce, the National Armaments Director, who leads the team responsible for developing, delivering and sustaining the UK's national arsenal. 

Mr Pearce said the UK and its allies have about four years to prepare for conflict.

"This is the time for us to focus on accelerated delivery," he said.

"We have until the end of 2030, at best, to deter and be ready to fight.

"DSEI UK is a perfect time for the different stakeholders to come together and to figure out how we can do this together at pace."

Mr Pearce plans to build up the UK's defences by creating "an innovation engine which horizon scans for new technologies and capabilities, advances them and matures them".

He added: "We need to build our core capabilities in a way which allows them to be infused with future innovation.

"That is the perfect discussion to have at DSEI UK with all the stakeholders together: military, industry, procurement agencies, innovators and the finance community.

"If we get that right at DSEI UK, we will position the UK Armed Forces in a vanguard of being the most innovative armed forces in the world."

The event's organiser, Managing Director James Samuel, said: "DSEI UK plays an important part in bolstering the UK's strategic deterrence, uniting the entire defence sector and providing a platform for British industry on the global stage.

"The themes at the core of DSEI, which include digital transformation, emerging tech, international alliances and supply chain resilience, reflect the priorities of the UK Government and will play an important role in the deepening national conversation about defence and security."  

Held biennially at ExCeL London, DSEI UK – Defence and Security Equipment International – is a  showcase of newly-developed capability and attracts 65,000 visitors and about 1,700 companies.